Guide to the Edwin B. Morgan Papers,
1840-1888

Collection Number: 550

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
EAD encoding:
Martin Heggestad, March 2004

© 2002 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Edwin B. Morgan papers, 1840-1888.
Collection Number:
550
Creator:
Edwin Barber Morgan.
Quantity:
.4 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Correspondence, tallies, votes, minutes, news clippings, broadsides, and other papers.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Papers concerned principally with elections in the 25th Congressional District of New York (Cayuga County) in 1850; Morgan's platform included high protectionism, free soil, and the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law; he was defeated by Thomas Y. How, the Loco-Foco candidate.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Whig Congressman, elected in 1852.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Papers concerned principally with elections in the 25th Congressional District of New York (Cayuga County) in 1850; Morgan's platform included high protectionism, free soil, and the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law; he was defeated by Thomas Y. How, the Loco-Foco candidate. Includes material on the Whig nominating convention in Homer, details of the campaign, and Morgan's defeat. Also, material relating to Cornell University and to Wells College and Aurora, New York; later papers deal with state and national politics and the 1852 elections. Also includes letters from Horace Greeley, William Seward, Ezra Cornell, Edward Selkreg, Joseph Esty, Henry Morghan, and local politicians.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Morgan, Edwin Barber.
Cornell, Ezra, 1807-1874.
Esty, Joseph.
Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872.
How, Thomas Y.
Morgan, Henry.
Selkreg, Edward.
Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872.
Wells, Henry.
Cornell University--Students.
Free Soil Party (N.Y.)
United States.
Wells College.
Whig Party (N.Y.)

Subjects:
Protectionism--United States.
Politics, Practical--New York (State)
Congressmen.

Places:
Cayuga County (N.Y.)--Politics and government.
Aurora (N.Y.)--History.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Edwin B. Morgan papers, #550. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
Correspondence (1849-1854), 120 pieces
Letters between E.B. Morgan, Whig candidate for Congress in 1850 , and party members including Washington Hunt, General Scott, R.H. Duell and others prominent in both state and national politics, and his brother Christopher Morgan, himself a former Representative. A few letters concerning Morgan's successful fight for election in 1852 .
Box 1 Folder A
Interesting letters:
  • Oct. 16, 1850, Horace Greeley to Morgan. "I feel sure we shall beat this time.... You must help us for land reform in Congress.... I have nothing else to ask."
  • Oct. 26, 1850, Morgan to a committee composed of Hiram Plumb, James Lester, Nathaniel Vilas, William Kevill, setting forth stand on Fugitive Slave Law - "one of the most cruel and wicked laws ever enacted by a legislative body" - and free soil: "I am decidedly in favor of extending that ordinance [of 1787] over the territories - believing it to be the only safe mode of excluding slavery."
  • Nov. 7, 1850, William Henry Seward to Morgan, "Our friends still cluster in the Advertiser office and occupy themselves with conjectures to reduce the majorities reported for your adversary and enhance your own."
  • Nov. 7, 1850 (same date as above), Seward to Morgan. "Our generous and faithful friends resisted the evidences of your defeat to day until the authentic reports from Cortland rendered hope no longer possible."
  • Nov. 9, 1850, R.H. Duell, of Cortland Village, to Morgan explaining Morgan's defeat in those places where he was behind. Tells of the concentration of the locofocos against him and of the treachery of the Auburn Whigs who helped to defeat him despite the general Whig Victory.
  • Apr. 9, 1851, Morgan to Governor Washington Hunt concerning a fugitive slave from Maryland.
  • Jan. 31, 1852, Morgan to Winfield Scott pledging the former's support of the latter should he be nominated for the presidency.
Whig Party material
Tallies, votes, conference minutes, lists of prominent Whigs, party notices, etc.
 Box 1 Folder B
Newspaper clippings concerning elections.
 Box 1 Folder B
Broadsides
Advertisement (Store). Circular: Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, etc. Charles C. Dilts, Livonia, N.Y. Oct. 1852 .
Mapcase
Political. Cortland County Whig Extra, Homer, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 31, 1850 . The Whit Candidate for Member of Assembly! His views in regard to United States Senator, etc. (Alvan Kellogg).
Mapcase
Political. Cayuga New Era Extra, Auburn, N.Y., Nov. 2 [1850?] Democrats Organize! White Candidate for Congress [E.B. Morgan] in desperation.
Mapcase
Political. Democratic Voters of Cayuga: Down with Thomas Y. How and the Rathbun family! Down with the Thimble Riggers of Genesee Street!
Mapcase
Political. General Scott's Illegal and Unjust Demands upon the Public Treasury! His Receipt of Public Money Against the Law! Read, Farmer, Mechanic Labourer! Read All! Read Carefully! [1852?]
Mapcase
Political (Edwin B. Morgan vs. Locofocos). Sworn affadavit that Colonel Edwin B. Morgan, Whit Candidate for Congress is no longer owner of a travern in Auburn, N.Y. Oct. 29, 1852 . (8 cop.)
Mapcase
Political. Circular to the Whigs of the 25th Congressional District, Auburn, N.Y., Nov. 1, 1850 . Warns of the treachery of professed Whigs attempting to defeat Edwin B. Morgan. (3 cop.)
Mapcase
Political (Edwin B. Morgan vs. Locofocos). Cortland County Whig Extra, Homer, N.Y., Saturday, Nov. 2, 1850 . Ashbel Patterson, the MUM Candidate of the Locofocos for the Assembly! His refusal to make known his position in relation to the election of U.S. Senator, the Fugitive Slave Law, etc.
Mapcase
Political (Edwin B. Morgan vs. Locofocos). Ho, Farmers, Ho! I am persecuted beyond endurance by the d--d Locofocos, etc. Aurora, N.Y., Nov. 1850 . Signed, Colonel. An anti-Morgan broadside circulated by the Locofocos.
Mapcase